Home Improvement Projects That Lower Energy Bills
Spring is the ideal time to tackle a home improvement project, and if your goal is to lower your energy bill, there are quite a few different approaches you might take. There are even some projects which simultaneously lower energy bills and boost your home’s curb appeal, so you should give these a little extra attention. But the bottom line will be, that you should address whatever improvement is most critical for your household. For many households, that does end up being a project to lower the cost of energy, so here are some which will help you accomplish your objective.
Replacing your siding
This might not be the first thing you think of, but the siding of your home is important for providing insulation. If you have old, worn siding, there’s a good chance that you’re losing insulation somewhere, and that’s causing your energy bill to creep up. When you install some attractive, modern vinyl siding, you’ll not only boost your insulation, but you’ll also be making your exterior look much more appealing.
Furnace upgrade
With summer on the way, you might not think a furnace upgrade is critical, but in truth there’s no better time than now to have your furnace inspected, to see if it’s capable of providing efficient heating in a few months. If it’s in good shape, you might only need some servicing and replacement of a few parts, but if it’s more than ten years old, you may want to consider replacing it entirely. While that might run counter to your savings objective, a new furnace will end up saving you a ton of money, especially if you buy one rated high for energy efficiency.
Windows replacement
This is the perfect time of year to replace your windows, because the caulk that’s used to seal them adheres best during cooler temperatures. By installing new windows, you’ll eliminate any leaks or drafts around the frames, and if you buy energy-efficient windows, you can take advantage of their superior insulating capability. You can even have them coated for low-emissivity, which will deflect the heat and ultraviolet rays of the sun, thus making it easier for your cooling system to keep the household comfortable.
Replace your doors
Doors are similar to windows in that you can install an energy-efficient door that keeps conditioned air in and unconditioned air outside. It has been estimated that a full 33% of the average home’s energy cost is wasted through loss from doors and windows. Why not eliminate that constant drain, and upgrade to weather-tight, attractive new doors that will seal in heated or cooled air?
Upgrade your insulation
The first part of this project involves having an energy assessment on your home, so you can tell where you’re losing air around the house. Typically, the biggest culprit is the attic, because it never had proper insulation installed in the first place. But there are certainly other areas as well that may have had inadequate insulation installed during construction, or some may have been compromised by rodents or other vermin. In any case, a home assessment will show you where the most pressing need is for new insulation. A short installation project in Spring will bring about increased energy savings the rest of the year.
